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Antonio gave his second Austin Flamenco Workshop. He is a master of flamenco. He is an incredible instructor, and performer. He taught a Garrotin, and a Manton workshop. Both classes were awesome and the dances were beautiful. I also produced my first flamenco show with a Maestro of flamenco. Entertainers were as follows: Singer, Chayito Champion; Guitaritst, John Lawrence; Dancer & Cajonera, Masako; Dancer, Chole Bragg and Virginia Esparza. Featuring Special Guest Artist Antonio Vargas. The show was held in one of Austin's coolest venues, Tambaleo. The audience loved the show, and everyone had a blast.

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La Tania gave a two day workshop, teaching Bulerias on Saturday, & Tangos on Sunday. Classes were accompanied by guitarist Lalo de Pilar from Houston, TX. This workshop was 100% full. La Tania has such a strong following that her workshop drew students from Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Georgetown, & Austin, of course. This workshop was an awesome opportunity for Austin and the surrounding communities to take advantage of learning from one of the best dancers of our time. Everyone enjoyed themselves and learn a lot. VFDP looks forward to La Tania's return, hopefully soon.

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Flamenco performance by Virginia at the River City Youth Foundation holiday celebration. This was a fun event for the kiddos. Santa was on hand with Mrs. Clause giving brand new bikes to some of kids from the neighborhood. There were brand new toys given away to every kid that showed up

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Chiqui gave a two week workshop at Academia de Arte Flamenco in the Deco District at San Antonio, Tx. Two two different dances were taught for the Bata de Cola. One with a fan, the other with castanets. It was a pleasure to have been taught by such an experienced dancer like Chiqui. I was also very happy to have had the opprotunity to meet other flamenco dancers from one of Austin's neighboring cities, San Antonio. We all had a wonderful experience learning how to manage the bata while learning a new choreagraphy. It was well worth the drive from Austin.

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Four weeks of intensive flamenco course with three of the best flamenco professors in the flamenco world: Lourdes, Felipe Mato, y Carmen Segura. It was an awesome experience to be imersed into the spanish culture while studing flamenco. Many flamenco aficionados come here specificly to study some form of flamenco. During my my stay I ran into some of my flamenco friends from La Tania's past flamenco in the Redwoods Workshop. Photos in this series include me with the organizer of the 25 aniversario de Bienal 2004, Manuel, me with Juan Aire who I ran into at an outside cafe. He is flamenco dancer who I met last year, when he was touring with Maria Benitez. Students and instructors from Taller at Bar Hefesto for the Monday night ritual of getting together. A Peña featuring Felipe Mato, Class photos with all the different students from each class, each week.

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Cinco de Mayo celebration for the City of Austin's Austin Energy Building. Various entertainment was scheduled for this event to celebrate different regions of latin culture. Scheduled to perform were Mariachi's, and the University of Texas Ballet Folklorico Dance Troop. Flamenco performance by Sheila McPherson (solo), Elianna, Patricia Vonne, y Virginia, accompanied by guitarist, Oliver Rajamani. Flamenco performance was under the direction of Sheila McPherson's Arte Flamenca productions. The audience loved us. Our flamenco performance was a huge hit!

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VFDP performed for the second time at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum's IMIXERS at Austin, Texas. Dancers included, Sheila McPherson, Olivia, y Virginia. Special guest dancer, Yvette Parrish-Mrs. Mexico Ethnic World 2004. The museum build a special stage for our flamenco performance, so our footwork could be heard. We performed two sets and Sheila y Olivia gave a great flamenco demonstration that got the audience involved in learning some basic flamenco steps. VFDP would like to thank the TSHM for having us, and Cadaques, for lending us their sound system for our music. Everyone performed great, and the audience loved us.

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Sheila McPherson, Olivia y Virginia performed at the Bob Bullock TSHM's IMIXERS. This is a social event that is put on by the museum, for the public, to intertwine an evening with food, music, an Imax movie, and viewing the museum's exibit's. Cadaques played for everyone's dancing pleasure. VFDP dancers entertained the crowed with flamenco dancing. Sheila with a solo Sevillan, Virginia with a tango, and Olivia with an impressive 7 minute Solea de Bulerias. Each set was followed by a flamenco demonstration. This allowed the crowed to be interactive with each other while learning a basic flamenco tango move. Fun was had by all.

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Andrés gave two 2 hour dance workshops. Tangos for the begining level, and Bulerias for the Intermediate/Advance level. Both classes were accompanied by live guitar music provided by Ricardo "El Papusa" Diaz. Both classes benifited from the choeragraphy and learning how to "Escuchar a la letra, para hacer los remates." (Listen for the "letra" to do the "remates") We were very happy that Andrés sings and shared this very important aspect of flamenco in regards to working with the musicians & singers for a comprehensive understaning of what is flamenco. Andrés, Thank you so much for returning to Austin to teach another fabulous workshop. Please come back soon.
"Workshop Organized & Produced by VFDP."

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Ricardo gave a 1.5 hour guitar workshop. He taught a Buleria, Solea por Buleria, and an Alegria. Students praised Ricardo's incrediable teaching ability, and for his simplified explanations on how to play flamenco guitar. The workshop was extreamly beneficial and fun. Bravo a Ricardo and to those who attended in makeing Austin's first flamenco guitar workshop a success. Ricardo, We all look forward to your visiting return.
"Workshop Organized & Produced by VFDP."

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Dances From Around The World. 20Nov'03. For SIETAR, Society for Intercultural Education, Training, And Research. A non-profit organization. SIETAR held their annual convention in Austin. Eight cultural dances were demonstrated for a presentation given by Ines Meneses. Order of dances are: 1) Indian Bharat Natyam. Dancer: Anuradha Naimpally. 2) Norwegian Telespringar-Telemark region of southeast Norway. Dancers: Stephanie Files & Franklin Houston. 3) China-Chinese Ribbon Dance. Dancer: Emily Dedar. 4) Argentinean Tango. Dancer: Partha Roy & partner. 5) U.S.A.-Two Step & West Coast Swing. Dancers: James & Dolores Skowbo. 6) Egyptian Belly Dance. Dancer: Miriam Robinson Gould. 7) Hungarian Mezosegi Tanc. Dancers: Dena & Franklin Houston. not pictured. 8) Spain-Flamenco. Dancers: Virginia, Sheila McPherson, & Olivia. Flamenco Guitarist: Billy "Guillermo" White.

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Maria Benitez Theatro Flamenco performed three shows in two days, Nov. 9, & 10, 2003. Vogue Magazine calls her "The Queen of Flamenco." Austin was privileged in having two of her dancers give workshops during their stay in Austin. The first workshop, 7Nov.'03, was taught by Yolanda Heredia accompanied by guitarist "Chuscales". Carola Zertuche from Maria's troop also joined in the workshop. The second workshop, 8Nov'03, was taught by Adolfo Lobato Vega accompanied by guitarist Antonio Andrade. Daniel Peregrino from Maria's troop also participated in this workshop. Photos in this series also includes Virginia with Maria Benitez, & Virginia with Jesule de Utrera, lead singer of Maria Benitez Theatro Flamenco.

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This was Virginia's second year in attending La Tania's Flamenco In The Redwoods in August 2003. She made great friends and had a tremendous amount of fun learning more on the art of flamenco. Here are some photos of that wonderful flamenco experience. Thank you La Tania and Steve Marston for providing a great experience in helping to provide a way for flamenco aficionados to continue our flamenco education. Viva La Fiesta En El Campo!!!

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Omayra Amaya is the great-niece of legendary dancer Carmen Amaya. Omayra gave a four day workshop in San Antonio, TX. She taught Techniques on Fandango, and Choreography for Bulerias & Tangos. Omayra's classes were accompanied by flamenco guitarist Luis. Omayra Amaya is an incrediable dancer and an excellent dance instructor. We look forward to her return to Texas.

La Monica taught a wonderful Tangos workshop for Austin in May, 2003 We had the pleasure of having Patricio play guitar for us too. Monica and Patricio are a great team. This workshop was full before the pre-registration dead line. Not only was it a great flamenco experience for us, it was also fun. Thank you Monica & Patricio. We look forward to your return. Check the calendar for details on her next Austin workshop.
"Workshop Organized & Produced by VFDP."